March 16, 2026 — A forensic analysis of a lobbyist’s phone has uncovered a draft document outlining a potential $5 million agreement connected to Argentine President Javier Milei’s promotion of the Libra cryptocurrency token, according to Argentine media reports citing judicial investigation materials.
Draft Document Details Payment Structure
The draft note was reportedly recovered from the iPhone of crypto lobbyist Mauricio Novelli. Screenshots of the document became public after expert materials held by prosecutor Eduardo Taiano were released.
Written in English and dated February 11, 2025, the text begins, “Hello friends, this is the final agreement discussed with H.” Investigators believe “H” refers to crypto entrepreneur Hayden Davis.
The document details a three-part payment structure totaling $5 million. It specifies $1.5 million as an advance, another $1.5 million contingent on Milei announcing on social media that his advisor is Hayden Davis, and a final $2 million for a signed consulting contract with the Argentine government.
Notably, the draft does not identify who would receive the funds. The document surfaced just three days before President Milei posted about the Libra token on the social media platform X.
Second Note Outlines Crisis Response
Investigators also recovered a separate note drafted on February 16, 2025, two days after the Libra controversy erupted online. This message appears to outline a public statement intended to manage the scandal.
“This is what I want for the tweet. This is the only thing that saves him, me, and us,” the note’s translation from Spanish reads, according to reports from Argentine outlet El Destape.
The draft message expresses support for the Libra project while denying any financial involvement. It attributes accusations of wrongdoing to political opponents. Authorities believe this text may have been prepared for Milei to post on social media or reference in an interview.
Communications Timeline and Market Impact
Call records show Novelli communicated with Milei and his sister, Karina Milei, shortly before and after the president’s social media post about the token. Novelli was in Dallas, Texas, during the token’s launch.
As the controversy spread, Novelli also held multiple calls with presidential adviser Santiago Caputo while the government managed the crisis.
In February 2025, Milei’s post about the Libra (LIBRA) memecoin briefly propelled it to a $4 billion market capitalization. The token then plunged 94% within hours, wiping out hundreds of millions in investor funds. The crash prompted opposition lawmakers to call for Milei’s impeachment.
Milei later stated he had merely “spread the word” about the token rather than promoted it. The Argentine judiciary has been investigating the matter, including issuing a sweeping asset freeze related to the scandal.
Ongoing Judicial Investigation
The forensic materials are part of an ongoing judicial investigation into the Libra crypto scandal led by prosecutor Eduardo Taiano. The evidence has been held since November 2025.
These findings add a new dimension to the case, suggesting discussions of a formal financial agreement preceded the president’s public endorsement. The investigation continues to examine the relationships between lobbyists, crypto entrepreneurs, and government officials.
For further context on Argentina’s cryptocurrency regulatory environment, readers can refer to official statements from the Argentine Ministry of Economy.
Updated insights and analysis added for better clarity.
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